Hello, I might be getting a 2002 honda accord lx or ex i forget. It has 152,000 miles on it. it has the 2.3l f23a1 engine and the 4 speed auto trans. I am not super fond of the auto trans but it seems ok. I took the car on a 215 mile trip over the weekend and it was fine. Everything works and it appears to have no rust. The car was from ohio. I dont know if the timing belt has ever been changed so that needs to get done. Then I will change out all of the fluids. It has new snow tires. Seems to brake straight and not pull to any side and the e-brake works. Does anyone have one of these cars? I know honda auto trans are not the best. Any problems to look for?
Might be getting a 2002 honda accord
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That is a nice car but like you said the transmissions are not the best and it is not build like the older run forever Honda's of the 80's
Mom has a 2000 model DX - great car! Believe the AT problem occurred with the V6 model during these years.
My sister has a '99. Same engine and trans. Bought with 200k miles on the clock. She is a college student, therefore always broke, and never invests too much in the car (but she does at least change necessary things, better than 90% of women out there, no offense). The harmonic balancer wobbles ridiculously, leaks oil everywhere, a/c compressor is on its way out, has a freon leak somewhere, p/s leaks everywhere... the list goes on and on. She drives the car like a Lamborghini. Very hard.
And yet, after 4 years, it's at 230k, it still keeps running strong. Just give it all the fluids, and it keeps on going like the energizer bunny. It's rather fascinating how strong the engine and transmission are.
Personal recommendation: be EXTREMELY ocd with the paint. The clear coat is far from good on these.
Yes, of all things, I said paint.
And yet, after 4 years, it's at 230k, it still keeps running strong. Just give it all the fluids, and it keeps on going like the energizer bunny. It's rather fascinating how strong the engine and transmission are.
Personal recommendation: be EXTREMELY ocd with the paint. The clear coat is far from good on these.
Yes, of all things, I said paint.
Originally Posted By: joegreen
Hello, I might be getting a 2002 honda accord lx or ex i forget. It has 152,000 miles on it. it has the 2.3l f23a1 engine and the 4 speed auto trans. I am not super fond of the auto trans but it seems ok. I took the car on a 215 mile trip over the weekend and it was fine. Everything works and it appears to have no rust. The car was from ohio. I dont know if the timing belt has ever been changed so that needs to get done. Then I will change out all of the fluids. It has new snow tires. Seems to brake straight and not pull to any side and the e-brake works. Does anyone have one of these cars? I know honda auto trans are not the best. Any problems to look for?
Look for a 5 speed Accord.
Hello, I might be getting a 2002 honda accord lx or ex i forget. It has 152,000 miles on it. it has the 2.3l f23a1 engine and the 4 speed auto trans. I am not super fond of the auto trans but it seems ok. I took the car on a 215 mile trip over the weekend and it was fine. Everything works and it appears to have no rust. The car was from ohio. I dont know if the timing belt has ever been changed so that needs to get done. Then I will change out all of the fluids. It has new snow tires. Seems to brake straight and not pull to any side and the e-brake works. Does anyone have one of these cars? I know honda auto trans are not the best. Any problems to look for?
Look for a 5 speed Accord.
From what I understand, only the V6 Accords of that era had bad transmissions. The 4 cylinder transmissions are just fine and should last a long time.
I had an 02 LX model, without a doubt a tough car, It was mine and my brothers starter car. So long as nothing jumps out at you as far as problems, I'd get it, you'd well get your money out of it so long as you do the general maintenance. I still miss my old honda..
forgot to mention same engine and transmission*
the f23a is an excellent smooth engine. the motor mounts are probably on their way out, and yes do the timing belt/water pump asap if you have no documentation. the transmission is prone to failure but not as much as the v6's. definitely do at least two drain/fills with Valvoline maxlife over a 500 mile period. good luck.
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At 150k miles, I consider any automatic to have lived a reasonable life. My family has had to rebuild automatic transmissions prior to that, once in a 1984 Oldsmobile (TH-200, known weak) and once in a 1992 Crown Vic (AOD, not much better). The Olds lost reverse gear with less than 100k miles on it and the Ford needed a rebuild at about 120k miles as I recall. Maybe 150k miles being reasonable for transmission life is a little old school, but I think anything with that many miles or more is a throw of the dice. I think that, by that point, prior maintenance means more than the transmission design/make/model.
I'd do a few fluid drains/refills if you don't know when the last time was for that.
I'd do a few fluid drains/refills if you don't know when the last time was for that.
So here is the kicker. Its a friends car that is kind of up for grabs. Either i can have it or it will be put up for sale on craigslist. If i take it i will probably give him a little something for it. It would basically be a backup vehicle that will be driven a couple times a week.
Buying cars from friends is always risky. If for any reason it ends up being unreliable/needing work, there is going to be bad blood between you two. And otherwise, there is also a risk the friend will feel cheated if you give him/her less for it than what he/she would have gotten on CL.
If it's a good friend, I'd just pass on this car and not risk potential strain in a relationship. If it's just an acquaintance, then ok.
If it's a good friend, I'd just pass on this car and not risk potential strain in a relationship. If it's just an acquaintance, then ok.
Originally Posted By: wayne50
My mother has an '03 Accord EX V6 with low miles. Its been a good car. However, this year had a problem with the radio backlite going out and hers has gone out. No longer warranteed.
Only 12 years old and already have problem with radio backlite. Trade it in for a Chrysler !
My mother has an '03 Accord EX V6 with low miles. Its been a good car. However, this year had a problem with the radio backlite going out and hers has gone out. No longer warranteed.
Only 12 years old and already have problem with radio backlite. Trade it in for a Chrysler !
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